Bloodwork - The Ultimate Health Ancillary Supplement

‘Bloodwork' is the most specialized addition to our health lineup. As the name suggests, the ingredients in this product have shown clinical efficacy in improving various health markers in adult populations with cardio-metabolic risk factors.

This blend contains natural bioactive compounds which have been investigated in human trials to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce triglycerides, attenuate impaired glucose tolerance, reduce blood pressure, reduce oxidative stress & inflammation, as well as support the degree of arterial plaque attenuation which can be achieved through natural means. 

If you have enjoyed the benefits of berberine, this product may promote even greater benefits; featuring clinical dosages of

• Berberine

• Nattokinase 

• Olive Leaf extract 

• Vitamin K2

• Fenugreek Extract 

• Thymoquinone (high potency nigella sativa extract)

• Ellagic Acid

• Astragalus Root extract

• Other highly sought after natural health ingredients; read below for a full breakdown. 

This formula may be of interest for someone seeking natural adjuncts to promote longevity, it is not a replacement for diet, exercise and/or medication. It may offer the greatest benefits for those who are overweight and do not require medical therapy for chronic conditions.

We advise against any teenagers using this product, it is best suited for adults. As health supplementation may have benefits, there may also be a risk depending on each person. The ingredients in this product have a favorable safety profile based on the human trials which were evaluated, but your healthcare provider should ultimately be involved when deciding to take any supplements which are beyond the general scope of food/nutrition like this formula.

Berberine HCl

Berberine HCl is a compound derived from many different medicinal plants used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is emerging as a popular nutraceutical with over 100 publications per year being done on this compound.

Berberine works through different mechanisms to promote normoglycemia and reductions in LDL cholesterol; amongst the other potential benefits is an improved intestinal microbiome and modest weight loss [1].

As berberine's mechanism of action is highly dependent on colonic fermentation & its effects on the gut biome, it does not require oral bioenhancement (ex: cyclodextrin complex) to be effective. The positive trials done on berberine were primarily done using non complexed berberine.

One of the most recent findings which have placed berberine in the research-spotlight was the observed PCSK-9 inhibitory effect; PCSK-9 inhibitors are the latest class of antihyperlipidemics with some showing up to a 20% reduction in Lipoprotein(a). Treating elevated Lipoprotein(a) is an ongoing challenge in modern medicine as it cannot be treated by statin therapy alone (elevated Lipoprotein(a) is a strong genetic risk factor for heart disease) [11]. At present, more literature is needed to evaluate berberine’s specific effect on Lp(a); it is hypothesized to be beneficial in this regard due to its PCSK9 inhibitory activity.

Nattokinase

Nattokinase is an enzyme found in fermented soy beans and indirectly consumed in high amounts in the traditional Japanese diet; natto consumption is hypothesized to be one protective factor against heart disease in the Okinawan diet.

There are numerous RCTs on nattokinase in which the achieved primary end points demonstrated significant carotid plaque reduction, decreased incidence of thrombotic events and positive blood pressure outcomes [5].

Olive leaf extract(min. 20% oleuropein)

Olive leaf extract is a potent anti oxidant and has demonstrated remarkable health benefits in the literature. It is supported in numerous clinical trials to provide a reduction in LDL oxidation while increasing the HDL:LDL ratio. 

In one trial, when taken at 500mg twice daily, it conferred comparable anti-hypertensive effects to taking 25-50mg of captropril (ACE inhibitor - blood pressure medication) in patients with stage 1 hypertension; it has not been shown to decrease blood pressure in non-hypertensive populations. It is important to note that this specific trial has not been replicated yet [6].

Vitamin K2 (MK-7)

Besides being an essential nutrient in the functioning of the clotting cascade, vitamin K is understood to promote the deposition of free calcium into the bones; a component of the positive cardiovascular benefits seen with vitamin K supplementation (reduced rate of vascular calcification). We decided to use the MK-7 form, as MK-7 has demonstrated more potent effects on bone and cardiovascular health than standard vitamin K1 supplementation [7,12]. 

Vascular calcification can exacerbate the progression of atherosclerosis. Vitamin K2 may modestly reduce the rate of calcification that occurs. It is important to understand that calcification of the vascular system and heart valves are an expected health regression associated with the aging process, the progression of it can be delayed with adequate lifestyle interventions and early management (and avoiding smoking/alcohol).

Astragalus Extract

Astragaloside IV (from astragalus root extract) is a potential drug candidate which may improve kidney function in chronic kidney disease, enhance myocardial contractility and improve diastolic function [8,13].

Thymoquinone (from Nigella Sativa extract)

Nigella Sativa is one of the world’s first health supplements used for thousands of years and is greatly respected as a nutraceutical, known as "The Blessed Seed" in Middle Eastern civilizations. It contains a vast amount of phytonutrients, the most of which being thymoquinone; demonstrating robust evidence for being a pleiotropic compound in treating a wide variety of conditions. 

A recent systematic review looked at a total of 17 clinical trials on Nigella sativa, stating: “N. sativa was found to be highly potent in terms of its hypoglycemic activity when compared to placebo based on improvement in parameters including fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PPBG), Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)” [9].

Fenugreek Extract 

Fenugreek Extract has been supported in numerous randomized controlled trials to promote significant reductions in blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C in people with insulin resistance [2].

Ellagic Acid 

Ellagic acid is an ingredient which is fermented by the intestinal microbiome into the highly beneficial compound, Urolothin A. Ellagic Acid supplementation has been supported to decrease the degree of insulin resistance in diabetic patients and improve their HOMA-IR score [3].

Chromium Picolinate

Chromium is an essential mineral which enhances the effects of insulin in the body.

Chromium Picolinate supplementation has been supported in a recent human trial to promote reductions in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and the HOMA-IR score [4]

Sodium Caprate

Sodium caprate, a medium chain fatty acid, is one of the most effective pharmaceutical-grade absorption enhancers amongst its class. It increases tight junction permeability in the intestinal epithelium, thereby allowing for greater absorption of drugs/supplements with poor oral bioavailability [10].

1) Ye, Y., Liu, X., Wu, N., Han, Y., Wang, J., Yu, Y., & Chen, Q. (2021). Efficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone for Several Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Frontiers in pharmacology, 12, 653887. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.653887

2) Neelakantan, N., Narayanan, M., de Souza, R. J., & van Dam, R. M. (2014). Effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) intake on glycemia: a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Nutrition journal, 13, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-13-7

3) Ghadimi, M., Foroughi, F., Hashemipour, S., Nooshabadi, M. R., Ahmadi, M. H., Yari, M. G., Kavianpour, M., & Haghighian, H. K. (2021). Decreased insulin resistance in diabetic patients by influencing Sirtuin1 and Fetuin-A following supplementation with ellagic acid: a randomized controlled trial. Diabetology & metabolic syndrome, 13(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-021-00633-8

3) Talab et al. (2020). Effects of Chromium Picolinate Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Randomized Clinical Trial. Clin Nutr Res. 2020 Apr;9(2):97-106. English. Published online Apr 24, 2020. https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2020.9.2.97

5) Chen, H., Chen, J., Zhang, F., Li, Y., Wang, R., Zheng, Q., Zhang, X., Zeng, J., Xu, F., & Lin, Y. (2022). Effective management of atherosclerosis progress and hyperlipidemia with nattokinase: A clinical study with 1,062 participants. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 9, 964977. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.964977

6) Susalit, E., Agus, N., Effendi, I., Tjandrawinata, R. R., Nofiarny, D., Perrinjaquet-Moccetti, T., & Verbruggen, M. (2011). Olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract effective in patients with stage-1 hypertension: comparison with Captopril. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 18(4), 251–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.08.016

7) Li, T., Wang, Y., & Tu, W. P. (2023). Vitamin K supplementation and vascular calcification: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in nutrition, 10, 1115069. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1115069

8) Yoshino, T., Horiba, Y., Mimura, M., & Watanabe, K. (2022). Oral Astragalus Root Supplementation for Mild to Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease: A Self-Controlled Case-Series. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 775798. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.775798

9) Mahomoodally, M. F., Aumeeruddy, M. Z., Legoabe, L. J., Montesano, D., & Zengin, G. (2022). Nigella sativa L. and Its Active Compound Thymoquinone in the Clinical Management of Diabetes: A Systematic Review. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(20), 12111. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012111

10) Twarog, C., Fattah, S., Heade, J., Maher, S., Fattal, E., & Brayden, D. J. (2019). Intestinal Permeation Enhancers for Oral Delivery of Macromolecules: A Comparison between Salcaprozate Sodium (SNAC) and Sodium Caprate (C10). Pharmaceutics, 11(2), 78. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11020078

11) Hernandez, A. V., Hwang, J., Nasreen, I., Sicignano, D., Pasupuleti, V., Snow-Caroti, K., & White, C. M. (2024). Impact of Berberine or Berberine Combination Products on Lipoprotein, Triglyceride and Biological Safety Marker Concentrations in Patients with Hyperlipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of dietary supplements, 21(2), 242–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2023.2212762

12) Saritas, T., Reinartz, S., Krüger, T., Ketteler, M., Liangos, O., Labriola, L., Stenvinkel, P., Kopp, C., Westenfeld, R., Evenepoel, P., Siepmann, R., Wied, S., Hilgers, R. D., Schurgers, L., Floege, J., & VitaVasK Investigators (2022). Vitamin K1 and progression of cardiovascular calcifications in hemodialysis patients: the VitaVasK randomized controlled trial. Clinical kidney journal, 15(12), 2300–2311. https://doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfac184

13) Wang, H., Zhuang, Z., Huang, Y. Y., Zhuang, Z. Z., Jin, Y., Ye, H. Y., Lin, X. J., Zheng, Q., & Wang, Y. L. (2020). Protective Effect and Possible Mechanisms of Astragaloside IV in Animal Models of Diabetic Nephropathy: A Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 988. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00988